Stewart Kelly's work can be seen in Baarle Nassau at High Five Art
Face to face
Stewart Kelly
Great Britain
Embroidered, drawn
Ink, paper, thread
My current practice is inspired by observing
and drawing the human form. I use the drawings as a basis to construct layered
surfaces which are created using a range of media. In particular, I am
interested in exploring the effects of layering drawing and stitching. The
accumulation of lines results in abstract images which are open to
interpretation from the viewer.
Initially, I make observational drawings
in response to the figure. I work intuitively to create expressive drawings
which aim to capture the subtleties found in
both gesture and movement. I
record my responses spontaneously, focusing almost entirely on the subject,
unaware of the image evolving on the paper. As the lines accumulate and
overlap, the image becomes abstracted. The figures become less recognizable
almost camouflaged amongst the multitude of lines. Each mark is unique and
documents a moment in time. My observations and responses are distilled into
line.
I then transform and develop the
drawings by cutting, re-assembling and stitching. Existing drawn lines are
emphasized with stitch whilst additional lines derived from separate studies
are imposed over the surface. The diversity of drawn and stitched marks create
unique textures and quality of lines throughout the work. The drawn line is
immediate whilst stitching is slower and more reflective. Occasionally figures
are identifiable, whilst in contrast a line may represent a gesture or brief
moment in time. The layers of drawn and stitched lines record an accumulation
of observations, mapping encounters and experiences. The pieces are complex and
intense in their construction. Constructing them is often physical and
enduring. They become the embodiment of the artist and a record of the time
taken to produce them.
The work explores the effects of
overlaying multiple images. The viewer is required to interpret the image
creating a dialogue between the physical and unconscious body. The layers of
different materials and processes create images which seek to achieve a
deliberate ambiguity giving rise to the many possibilities of interpretation.
The viewer is encouraged to consider where one process ends and another begins.
The work demands the viewer’s time to understand and interpret the different
lines and shadows and make sense of their meaning based upon their own multi
layered experiences. The quality and range of marks encourages the viewer to reflect
upon the complexities and expressions found within the spectrum of human
nature.
detail Face to Face 10
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